A HOSPITAL operating theatre had to be evacuated after a dangerous chemical spill.

Surgeons at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, were forced to treat patients in other theatres in the hospital.

The spill closed the theatre for almost three hours while firefighters made it safe.

More than 12 litres of the chemical, used to clean surgical instruments "extremely dangerous", was spilled.

Firefighters wore vital protective suits and breathing equipment while treating the liquid. The area was evacuated and cordoned off to protect patients.

The chemical was absorbed with spill-soaking granules and encased for detoxification away from the hospital.

David Goodger, general manager of surgical services, said the spill of a substance called glutaraldehyde came from a faulty tank used to disinfect equipment. Engineers are today investigating the cause of the leak.

Mr Goodger said operations were not affected and nobody was injured.

"We have a number of theatres, he said. "We sealed the area and we carried on working as normal in those remaining."

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